General Motors said in a news release that it is recalling about 1.8 million model year 1998-2001 cars.

The models involved are 1998-2001 Cavaliers and Pontiac Sunfires built between March 1997 and April 2001.

Also, some 1998 Pontiac Grand Am, Oldsmobile Achieva, and Buick Skylark cars built between March 1997 and January 1998 are being recalled.

Of the total, about 1.4 million of the vehicles are in the U.S. and approximately 337,000 are in Canada. The remaining vehicles are outside these countries.

These vehicles will be serviced to prevent high electrical current flow through the ignition switch that may cause a fire in the steering column, GM said in a statement.

There have been reports of 80 incidents of heat buildup, melted components, smoldering parts, or fires in the ignition system and steering column. There are no injuries or fatalities related to this condition, GM said.

There are no reports of a fire caused by this condition while these vehicles are being driven. Most of the incidents occurred within minutes of an unsuccessful attempt to start the car; however, some incidents occurred after the car had been unattended for a longer time.

In some of these vehicles, the ignition switch may deteriorate if the battery is weak, the engine fails to crank, and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period.

High current flows through the ignition switch and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts. If the switch is damaged, the plastic internal components may heat up, melt, or eventually smolder or ignite. This could occur even with the engine off and the key removed.

If operators experience a "click, no crank" condition in these vehicles, they should not hold the key in the start position for an extended period of time. Owners should have their vehicles checked and serviced if they are experiencing starting problems.

Due to the large number of vehicles involved in this recall, the repair process will occur in three phases, GM said.

Beginning in early March, GM will begin notifying owners of the 1998-99 vehicles involved in this recall. The owners of the 1998-99 vehicles will be instructed to contact their dealers as soon as they get the letter.

The owners of 2000 model year vehicles will be notified in May, asking them to contact dealers in May to arrange a service date, and the owners of 2001 model year vehicles will be contacted in June with service instructions for that month.

All owners will be instructed to bring their vehicles into their , Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac dealers. Dealers will install a low current relay into the ignition circuit.

Additionally, they will test the ignition switch and, if necessary, replace it. These repairs will be performed at no cost to the customers.

GM Boosts Lease Incentives

General Motors added new incentives on Saturday to lease vehicles, Reuters reported.

GM said that under the new offer, qualified lessees are eligible for a 48-month lease with no down payment, no security deposit, no first month's payment and nothing due at the signing of the lease other than tax, title and registration, the story said.

Most GM cars and light trucks are included in the program, which runs from Feb. 7 through March 31 and will be advertised nationally beginning this week.

Some of the vehicles excluded from the program include the Hummer H1 sport-utility vehicle, the sport sedan, some Oldsmobiles and vans, and selected models of the Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire small car line.

Gas Prices Rise for Fifth Straight Week

Gasoline prices rose again last week across the country according to the Automobile Club's Weekend Gas Watch. The national average for gasoline increased four-tenths of a cent per gallon.

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline at metropolitan destinations throughout the nation. Average prices as of 12:01 a.m., Feb. 6:

National Average

$1.627

+$0.004

$1.737

(8/30/03)

Atlanta

$1.555

+$0.012

$1.589

(3/18/03)

Boston

$1.670

+$0.008

$1.812

(9/3/03)

Chicago

$1.752

+$0.010

$2.142

(6/19/00)

Dallas

$1.568

+$0.006

$1.666

(5/12/01)

Denver

$1.507

-$0.012

$1.780

(6/5/01)

Detroit

$1.658

+$0.007

$2.137

(6/20/00)

Honolulu

$2.002

+$0.002

$2.054

(10/2/03)

Houston

$1.552

+$0.003

$1.639

(5/12/01)

Kansas City, Mo.

$1.470

-$0.006

$1.790

(6/21/00)

Las Vegas

$1.751

+$0.015

$2.063

(3/25/03)

Los Angeles-Long Beach

$1.812

+$0.034

$2.167

(3/22/03)

Miami

$1.686

+$0.010

$1.761

(3/18/03)

New York

$1.836

+$0.003

$1.968

(9/6/03)

Philadelphia

$1.661

+$0.013

$1.807

(9/3/03)

Phoenix

$1.626

+$0.028

$2.146

(8/26/03)

Salt Lake City

$1.589

+$0.011

$1.789

(9/4/03)

San Diego

$1.836

+$0.040

$2.211

(3/20/03)

San Francisco

$1.913

+$0.015

$2.276

(3/19/03)

Seattle

$1.703

+$0.005

$1.969

(9/4/03)

St. Louis

$1.581

-$0.051

$1.767

(5/17/01)

Washington, D.C.

$1.679

+$0.007

$1.797

(5/16/01)

The national average price of gasoline increased only four-tenths of a cent per gallon last week as crude oil prices remained in the $32-$34 range. Over the next 2-3 weeks, gas prices are expected to ease slightly in most regions of the country.